ToRs For the Study On WATERCOURSE COMMAND MANAGEMENT FOR INCREASING AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION

1.

Background

Water is the single most important input that impacts on agricultural production in irrigated agriculture of Pakistan and agriculture contributes 21 percent of GDP and 70% of foreign exchange earnings. A majority of Pakistans rural population livelihood depends on agriculture while 45% of the labor force is engaged in agriculture sector. Therefore, increase in agricultural production will have multiplier effects and will reduce poverty in the country. Much of what is possible in irrigated agriculture revolves around the efficient use of water at all levels: farm, canal, provincial, regional and national. Bringing water unabated to the farmers fields with minimal losses has long been recognized as a prudent strategy by irrigation engineers and water managers the world over. On-farm Water Management came into vogue in the early 1960s and since then several programs and projects have been launched to improve water situation through channel lining, PVC pipes for conveyance, concrete structures and more recently use of farm level storage reservoirs / tanks and application of modern irrigation technologies to curtail water losses. By improving water delivery at the farm level, increases in agricultural production and consequently farm income are the underlying motives to accelerate economic development and reduce poverty in the country. There are about 180,000 watercourses / water tanks serving the irrigated agriculture in Pakistan. Unfortunately there is no comprehensive database that is easily accessible to policy makers, managers and implementers for developing and implementing a strategy for optimization of available land and water resources for increasing agricultural production in the country. Quality input supplies and output marketing has a great impact on overall productivity of available resources. Therefore, linkages with the private sectors are particularly important for increasing agricultural production. Therefore, there is a strong need to develop a comprehensive baseline database that is easily accessible to policy makers, managers and implementers for developing and implementing a strategy for optimization of available resources for increasing agricultural production and thereby income of the water users in the country.

Considering this need, the following is proposed to be undertaken at the earliest possible. 2. Key Objective

To design a comprehensive OFWM project through developing a database containing baseline information of the watercourse commands / water tanks and optimizing available resources through linking private sector and water users for increasing agricultural production in the country. 3. Specific Objectives Baseline survey of the watercourse commands / water tanks in the country. A comprehensive watercourse command database using latest state-of-theart technologies such as Remote Sensing and GIS. Linking private sector and water users for increasing agricultural production and thereby income of the water users. Designing OFWM project using baseline information of the watercourse commands / water tanks. Increased income generation opportunities of the rural masses. 4. Proposed ToRs

The following ToRs are proposed for this study: To undertake a detailed review of the baseline data available at the watercourse command / water tank level in the country. The key variables including topography, soil types, water availability (surface, groundwater, saline), climatic conditions, types of agricultural products mix (fruits, vegetables, crops), etc

To identify the data gaps at the watercourse command / water tank level in the country. baseline data available at the watercourse command / water tank level in the country To organize and implement the missing baseline data collection at the watercourse command / water tank level in the country. To identify an appropriate on-line MIS for storing, accessing, analyzing the collected baseline data. The database line should have agronomic profile, product profile, market profile, human resource profile, water resource profile and technology profile etc. 2

To develop and test a comprehensive on-line database using latest state-ofthe-art technologies such as Remote Sensing and GIS. To establish linkage between private sector and water users for collective input procurement and output marketing. To improve marketing opportunities of the farmers for their product, biproducts, and any value addition initiatives. To identify the most appropriate product mix on the local human, natural and market potential of the area. To design a comprehensive OFWM project using baseline information of the watercourse commands / water tanks for optimizing available resources through linking private sector and water users.

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